This delightfully refreshing elixir incorporates lovely organic products and made in my backyard of rural Pennsylvania. The classic Whiskey Sour cocktail and the Collins drink are combined to create a twist on two summer favorites.

Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd and to honor what it stands for I am offering up truly "green", farm-fresh, organic ingredients and cocktails for spring. As an added bonus, I list the best fruits, veggies, herbs, spices, and florals to be used in cocktails, infused spirits, syrups, purees, and juices for the season, best way to prepare them, and what base spirits pair best with them.

If you ever walked in to an American bar and asked for an Asian cocktail you would probably get a blank stare from the bartender. It’s a pretty vague request, but so is asking for an “American” cocktail. If you say that you would like a cocktail that uses Asian ingredients or flavors, such as ginger, jasmine, or lychee, you may experience the same result.

The Cherry Blossom cocktail pictured above was one of the signature cocktails I created for the spring/summer cocktail menu at the Buddha Buddha Martini Bar and Cocktail Lounge in May of 2013. This cocktail is versatile and can be enjoyed anytime once the weather gets nice and sunny. The Cherry Blossom is perfect to be sipped outdoors. This is one of the many cocktails people can enjoy for their special party or event and it is very easy to make at home. One of the special features of this cocktail is the use of lime cordial (my recipe below).

The aroma and distinctive flavor of this flavor works well before-dinner, during dinner, or after-dinner. This cocktail is consistent with Asian-inspired cocktails that are light, floral, and refreshing. Perfect for the spring months when flowers are blooming.

Let's face it - it is difficult to construct 'green' cocktails for St. Patty's Day...There aren't a lot of choices out there to make your cocktail look 'green', but what is St. Patty's Day without sipping a luxurious and delicious 'green' cocktail...March is the gateway to spring cocktails so why not incorporate some 'spring' flavors with 'end of the winter' flavors...This a purely a seasonal cocktail-based post so don't expect to read much commentary on the history of St. Patty's Day and all the highly commercialized info that is available on the web.

I recently did a country western-themed cocktail party at a private residence, which included an unofficial bourbon tasting for newbies and more experienced bourbon drinkers and signature bourbon cocktail called “The Wrangler” (recipe below). It was a fun time. This post is dedicated to my good friend and client, Alan Weinstein. The offerings were spread out across the spectrum of bourbon choices, i.e. small batch, single barrel, straight, reserve, high wheat, high rye, and traditional mash.

What is Absinthe?

In time for "National Absinthe Day" on March 5th...The term “absinthe” comes from Artemisia absinthium, the scientific name for its key ingredient, wormwood. Long before distillers discovered it, the herb was used for medicinal purposes.

Celebrate with a classic Black Russian or White Russian or Screaming Orgasm or in a modern-day cocktail...

Toast that distinctively coffee-and-sugarcane laced liqueur from the Veracruz state of Mexico this February 27th. That’s National Kahlua Day.

For nearly 80 years consumers the world over have been enjoying the deliciousness that is Kahlua. Today, with international sales reaching two million cases per year, Kahlua is a popular choice for cocktails, in recipes both sweet and savory or in coffee. Its name is derived from the Arabic slang for coffee, kahwa.

About Michael Nagy & Raise Your Spirits

Michael has been working in the bar and restaurant industry since 2000 as a head mixologist, liquid bar chef, spirits sommelier, bar manager, bar consultant, and cocktail expert. He holds an Advanced Certification in Mixology Bartending from the Professional Bartending Schools of America and is a former advanced mixology instructor at a prominent national bartending school. He has worked with many local bars and restaurants on developing cocktail menus, improving visibility, and customer service training. His cocktail book "The Cocktail Rediscovered" was released in 2007 and he currently runs a bar and cocktail website/blog here called “Tails from the Barstool”.

Michael is Owner & Operator of “Raise Your Spirits”, an elite bartending, top-shelf cocktail and beverage service, and bar consultation service in Central Pennsylvania since 2013. He has created seasonal cocktail menus for martini bars and cocktail lounges as well as for event venues, individuals, and businesses. He holds a B.S. Degree in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and has Master's credits in Education and Community Psychology. Michael has been writing for Chilled Magazine for over 2 years, other trade publications, and is currently contributing to "The Culture Trip", a travel, lifestyle, and culture site based in L.A. and Epicurious as a community writer. He can be followed on his site here, on Twitter @mixitup42, and Facebook at facebook.com/tailsfromthebarstool.com.

Michael tended bar at a recent party of mine. The drinks were fantastic, and he put a spin on "sex on the beach" that only a mixologist would know to do!! His outgoing personality and the effortless way he engaged my guests made for a fun and stress-free party on my part....Megan

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The Cocktail Rediscovered

Are you ready to take the 'bar' exam? This is the only tool you will need to raise the 'bar' for mixing drinks. Whether you are a novice bartender, who likes to play bartender at parties, or a professional bartender trying to perfect his/her craft in mixology, Learn More